It sure happens in Switzerland! On Saturday, 6/19, we took the train from Zermatt to Lucerne with a 4-hour stopover in Bern. (The beautiful city of Bern is pictured above.) It was amazing how the arrivals and departures from each city along the way perfectly matched the printed timetables! And, since all of the trains are electric, the ride is both quiet and comfortable.
In Bern we left our two pieces of luggage in a locker at the train station and set out on foot to explore the old city. One sight not to miss is the Zytglogge, the clock tower that was once part of the city gate, 1191-1256. On the hour the clock not only strikes but shows a series of strange looking figures who parade around on something of a lazy susan.
(Because of its uniqueness, the clock tower is almost as famous as a similar tower which we saw years ago in Prague.)After the clock tower we continued toward the river and saw Bern's "bear den" (an outdoor enclosure that houses several bears), and then climbed a hill to walk through the rose garden.
Bern's kirche (church) towers over 300' above much of the city and was built in Gothic style in the 15th century. The ornate scene pictured below is "The Last Judgment," that actually portrays a mayor of Bern being ushered into heaven while, to the right, the mayor of Zurich is sent to hell! - rw
1 comment:
wow, i hope i get to be with the mayor of Bern!
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